Celebrate Memorial Day with Balloons, Music, and More!

Memorial Day weekend in Decatur, Ala., is filled with hot air balloons, live music, tractors, and other family fun when the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic returns to Point Mallard Park. Set for May 25-26, 2013, the annual celebration has grown to be a tradition for many families across the Southeast who come to officially kick off the summer season and enjoy two days of balloon races, mingling with pilots, free tethered rides, fireworks, and more. The weekend also marks the opening of the Point Mallard Water Park and the much anticipated new Lazy River attraction.

The Memorial Day celebration begins bright and early on Saturday at 6:30 a.m. with the Hare and Hound Balloon Race. Saturday’s activities include an antique car show and the Southland Flywheelers will host a tractor show featuring some of the best restored and maintained tractors in the Southeast, engine demonstrations, a tractor parade, pedal tractor pull, and tractor games. At dusk, the Balloon Glow is a must see as towering balloons of all colors light up the night sky.

Another round of friendly competition between the pilots is scheduled for Sunday beginning at 6:30 a.m. with the Hot-Air Balloon Key Grab Race. For those who want to experience the magic of a balloon ride, free tethered rides are offered from 5:15 to 8 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks show by Pyro Shows is set to launch at 9:30 p.m.

In addition, a military tribute and a special recognition for wounded warriors is planned for Sunday at 3:15 p.m. and live music fills the air both evenings beginning at 5:30 p.m. and includes performances by Yerps, Four on the Floor, the Zooks, and Jeff Whitlow and The Old Barn Band. The Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show offering only original artwork will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday in the Pavilion.

Free parking will be available at Wolverine Park and GE with shuttle service to Point Mallard Park from 4 to 10 p.m. for a nominal fee each way. Admission to the Alabama Jubilee is free. Please note all balloon activities are weather permitting.

Picnic blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged. All activities take place in Point Mallard Park, a 750-acre municipal park providing year round recreation facilities in Decatur, Ala. The Point Mallard Water Park opens May 25 where visitors will be greeted with a new $3 million Lazy River water ride, new speed slides, and a revamped Olympic pool. The Lazy River attraction features a 1,000-foot winding river complete with water curtains, geysers, and a waterfall mountain. For more information, visit www.pointmallardpark.com.     

For more information on the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic including a schedule of events, visit www.alabamajubilee.net.